note / Countermanding Order, 1916 Rising

Countermanding order issued by Eoin MacNeill. Note of Eoin MacNeill with signature, addressed from Woodtown Park, Rathfarnham, April 22, 1916. No direction. Worded 'Volunteers completely deceived. All orders for tomorrow Sunday are entirely cancelled'. On a sheet of notepaper, lower portion torn off. Signs of writing appear on torn margin. Said by Miss Annie O'Rahilly that the names of the persons to whom note was to be circulated appeared on the missing lower portion. Said to have been torn off some years ago by Annie O'Rahilly. MacNeill initially opposed the Rising, agreed to support it on hearing of the German arms, but changed his mind again on learning of their capture;